Ford Recalls SUVs To Repair Problems With Rear Axle

When vehicle manufacturers recall vehicles, they do so for a couple of reasons. For example, an automaker may recall units to correct a violation of federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Or, the carmaker may be recalling certain vehicles to repair various issues.

Recalls Assure Repairs Complete

Whether it is one vehicle, 10 vehicles, or several hundred thousand, the automaker may open a recall to assure that dealers repair any issues.

Once a manufacturer has identified a recall, the manufacturer must report the issue to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as part of a manufacturer's reporting requirements.

Sometimes the federal agency will launch its investigation into a significant issue such an automaker's on such as problems with late-model automatic transmissions that remain in gear even though the driver engages Park or other issues that may be similar. Ultimately, an investigation opened by NHTSA could result in a significant recall or other administrative action.

That said, though, the Ford Motor Co. has now responded to the first recalls of 2021, according to the NHTSA website. The first recall was detailed in Torque News last week when we discussed the recall of 283 Ford Police Interceptor and Lincoln units recalled due to contaminated windshield washer fluid.

Recall Is Small

In the second recall of 2021, Ford has recalled a small number of SUVs because their rear-drive units may not be adequately lubricating which could lead to a loss of drive and, possible, a loss of vehicle control. The issue may lead to an increased risk of Specifically, Ford has recalled 147 SUVs. They include:

• 2020-2021 Ford Edge
• 2020 Lincoln Nautilus
• 2020 Ford Escape
• 2021 Lincoln Corsair
• 2021 Ford Bronco Sports

According to the summary on the agency's website, the SUVs involved in this recall have an inadequate amount of lubricant in their rear-drive units. In turn, this may cause the rear axle to seize, increasing the possibility of a loss of control and a possible crash.

Ford dealers will notify owners beginning this week. Dealers will check the rear-drive unity lubricant level. Dealers will fill axles that have the minimum amount to the full level. Axles whose level is below the minimum lubricant fill level will be replaced free of charge.

Owners Can Contact Agency

Owners can contact Ford Customer Service at 866-436-7332. Or, owners can contact the NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-7332. Owners can also contact the agency.. Ford's internal identifier is 21S02. NHTSA has assigned it a campaign number of 21V011000.

Marc Stern has been an auto writer since 1971. It was a position that filled two boyhood dreams: One that I would write, and two that I write about cars. When I took over as my newspaper's auto editor, I began a 32-year career as an automotive columnist. There isn't much on four wheels that I haven't driven or reviewed. My work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Mechanix Illustrated, AutoWeek, SuperStock, Trailer Life, Old Cars Weekly, Special Interest Autos, etc. Today, I am the Ford F150 reporter for Torque News. I write how-to and help columns for online sites such as Fixya.com and others. You can follow me on Twitter or Facebook. Most of Marc's stories are part of Torque News Ford coverage. Check back again and search for Torque News Ford F-150 news for more F-150 truck news coverage.